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Sometimes there aren’t easy ways to reduce spending. We all have to buy the necessities. But with some simple tweaks, you can change up some things and reduce spending. If you get your whole family on board, you can look at things like meal plans, snacks, and family activities and save a good bit of money.
13 Family Routines that Naturally Reduce Spending
Let everyone help choose meals each week
This doesn’t mean your kids get to decide on takeout pizza! But it does give everyone some ownership and also makes sure you’re rotating through meals that everyone will eat, which reduces the chances of eating out and food waste.
Let each kid have their own snack bin
When you buy prepackaged snacks, consider splitting them into snack bins for each kid. When they’re out of snacks for the week, they’ll have to stick to fruit or other simple snacks.
Have dinner themes for certain nights
Have a few nights that are set that everyone can expect. Our kids know dinner always comes from the freezer on Friday nights; we always have rotisserie chicken on days I go to Costco; one night is always a leftover night.
Pre-portion big bags of snacks
If you buy big bags of pretzels or chips, pre-portion them out so you don’t end up with stale chips or so a whole bag doesn’t get eaten in a day (mindless eating is real).
Start weekly cleaning routines
If you don’t already, start some weekly cleaning routines that everyone joins in on. This reduces spending because things don’t get lost and you stay on top of what you have. For instance, when you regularly clean out the fridge, you’re less likely to overbuy condiments.
Declutter kids’ toys as needed
Decluttering kids’ toys encourages independent play (free!) and also keeps you from buying things you already have or that your kids aren’t playing with.
Go through clothes seasonally
This is one of the best family routines to naturally reduce spending. This helps you find hand me downs that can fit younger kids, and you might realize you bought clothes on sale last year that will now fit one of your kids.
Establish weekly traditions
Our kids know that Friday night is movie night and Saturday morning is pancakes. This gives them stuff to look forward to throughout the week, removing the need for spontaneous and expensive outings.
Inventory outdoor items at the start of a season
At the beginning of the summer, for example, check through your pool and beach items. Some years I’ve found I didn’t need to purchase any new goggles! Other years I’ve realized we need some new beach toys and I’ve been able to keep my eyes open for sales.
Develop and stick to simple family holiday traditions
This can keep you from deciding to do grand and expensive things last minute. For ideas, see my back to school traditions and Christmas traditions.
Have a weekly calendar meeting
This is especially great if you have older kids who can’t drive yet but who have busy schedules. With everyone on the same page about what’s happening in the coming week, it makes it easier to plan meals and avoid unnecessary spending.
Pick one day a week to run errands
Only going to the grocery store once a week will bring in massive savings. This will require you to keep a running list of what you’re out of. This will also save gas!
Simplify breakfast and lunches
Every meal doesn’t have to be exciting. Work together with your kids to come up with a few breakfast and lunch ideas they all like, and rotate through them over the course of the month. Bonus points if they can do it themselves!
Do you have any family routines that naturally reduce spending? Let us know in the comments!
